Baltimore seminarians at Rome seminary see church’s universality December 13, 2023By Susan McInerney Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, Local News, News, Vocations For seminarians attending the Pontifical North American College in Rome, the spiritual and secular collide whether they’re dodging Vespas and taxis en route to class or stopping off for a quick espresso and fellowship with their classmates.
Movie Review: ‘Freud’s Last Session’ December 13, 2023By John Mulderig Filed Under: Movie & Television Reviews Overall, this is unusually intelligent fare, though some may find it a bit talky and – an interlude set in the trenches of World War I aside – somewhat stagebound.
Question Corner: Is there a big source that explains everything Catholic? December 13, 2023By Jenna Marie Cooper OSV News Filed Under: Commentary, Question Corner The catechism is meant as a summary of core Catholic beliefs and is widely available both in print and online — and there are a few searchable web versions of the catechism that make it fairly simple to navigate.
Vatican offers further guidance on handling cremains December 13, 2023By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has upheld a rule mandating that the ashes of the deceased be preserved in a consecrated place, but it also said family members could request “a minimal part of the ashes” be kept in a sacred place “of significance for the history of the deceased person.”
German Catholicism: on the brink or at the cutting edge? December 13, 2023By George Weigel Special to the Catholic Review Filed Under: Commentary, Synodality, The Catholic Difference Some of those in charge of the “Synod on Synodality” may have regarded the German “Synodal Path” as a useful instrument in clearing the path for a dramatic reconfiguration of Catholic self-understanding and governance, moving the goalposts so far to the left that the old 50-yard line of the Catholic Vital Center would now be the old left end zone.
Message of Guadalupe based in simplicity, not ideology, pope says December 12, 2023By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The iconic image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which has become a cultural and spiritual symbol for Latin America, cannot be used to promote any kind of ideology, but must maintain its message of simple love, Pope Francis said.
Judge orders protesters who block abortion clinics to abide by New York buffer zone December 12, 2023By Kurt Jensen OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News Red Rose Rescue, the small Michigan-based group that has conducted blockades of abortion clinics in Michigan, New York and Virginia since 2017, was ordered Dec. 8 to abide by a new restriction on clinic access covering 13 counties in New York.
Priest: Gaza Christians suffer much as Israeli strikes on strip continue but aren’t losing hope December 12, 2023By Judith Sudilovsky OSV News Filed Under: Conflict in the Middle East, Feature, News, World News As the humanitarian crisis escalates in Gaza — amid tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered near Gaza’s border with Egypt, attempting to flee, and a health care system on the verge of collapsing — a Gaza priest warned that Christians in Gaza are suffering a lot.
Council to ask pope to authorize studies on key synod topics December 12, 2023By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The council of the Synod of Bishops will ask Pope Francis to authorize studies on the need to update canon law, revise the rules for priestly formation, deepen a theological reflection on the diaconate — including the possibility of ordaining women deacons — and consider revising a document that provides norms for the relationship of a bishop with members of religious orders in his diocese.
Texas Supreme Court rules abortion petition failed to meet ban’s exception standards December 12, 2023By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, Respect Life, World News The Texas Supreme Court on Dec. 11 overruled a district judge’s order allowing a pregnant mother to obtain an abortion under an exemption to the state’s abortion ban.
Plenary indulgence available for 800th anniversary of first Nativity scene December 12, 2023By Adriana Montes Catholic Review Filed Under: Advent, Christmas, Feature, Local News, News Catholics will have the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence from Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to Feb. 2, 2024, the feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ in the Temple.
Preventing the nightmare before Christmas December 12, 2023By Lisa Popcak OSV News Filed Under: Christmas, Commentary This isn’t intended to be a long lecture of dos and don’ts, but rather guideposts to help the children over the next few weeks.